We’re back in Italy — this time in a rainy, medieval town where the cobblestones are slick, the espresso is strong, and the WiFi… well, let’s just say it’s hit or miss. 😅
It can’t be sunny and 65°F every day, right?
Here’s what’s been fun, interesting, and thought-provoking this week…
The Hardest Thing About Being Somewhere You Don’t Speak the Language
You’d think the language barrier would be the toughest part of traveling in a foreign country. But honestly? It’s not.
The hardest part is just getting over the worry in your own head.
It turns out, getting by in a country where you don’t speak the language is surprisingly easy. When you want something and the person you’re talking to wants to help, you figure it out. Hand gestures, smiles, translation apps — whatever it takes.
For those of us who grew up in the U.S., it’s not something we face often. We rarely need to communicate outside our native language, so the idea of it feels intimidating. But the reality is much simpler — and kind of freeing.
Europeans do this all the time! They cross borders and languages like we cross state lines.
So if the thought of “not understanding” is keeping you from exploring, take this as your sign: you’ll be fine. In fact, you might even love the challenge. 🌍
What Happens When You Only Connect Using WiFi
Back in 2024, I had an accidental experiment in digital disconnection.
I crashed my bike during a Europe trip, broke my iPhone, and couldn’t replace it for five weeks.
No cell service. No mindless scrolling. No constant distraction.
And you know what? It turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip.
This year, I decided to do it (sort of) on purpose. I didn’t buy a local SIM card — I’m just using WiFi. Which, by the way, isn’t everywhere here like it is in the U.S. Most coffee shops don’t have it, and I love that.
Sure, I could turn on my U.S. eSIM for $12/day, but I haven’t — except once by accident when I toggled off airplane mode. 😅
The result? I’m more aware of my surroundings, I connect more with people, and I feel less distracted.
There’s something powerful about not being able to escape into your phone anytime you’re bored or uncomfortable.
Honestly, I wish I could recreate this setup back home — maybe keep my phone on airplane mode and only turn it on when I really need it. I genuinely think the world would be a calmer, kinder place if more people tried this.
New YouTube Drop 🎥
We just released a brand-new video featuring one of the most interesting bikes we’ve ever tested — the Archibald Cycles AC1.
I won’t spoil it here (full blog post coming soon 👀), but let’s just say it completely changed the way we think about what makes a bike feel amazing.
👉 Watch the video here: YouTube.com/TheVantasticLife
That’s it for this week! Hopefully the rain clears soon and we’ll get back to sunny rides through olive groves and quiet cobblestone towns.
Until then — stay curious, stay adventurous, and maybe… turn off that cell signal for a bit. 😉
Ciao,
Joe
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